The US warned India that they won’t continue to tolerate India buying defence from Russia hereafter. The US has put India on notice with regard to its defence strategic partnership with Russia- Change the course otherwise get ready to face the sanctions. This issue was due to India preparing to buy the five S-400 Missile Defence Systems from Russia as part of a 390 Billion Deal. The US stated that the waiver from sanctions has allowed India to buy the Russia Defence is not absolute.
Since 1971, Russia has been the largest supplier of military equipment for India. Washington is alarmed how India is buying enormous new systems from Russia which includes the long-range S-400 surface to air missile system. The S-400 is so powerful that it has the capability to destroy an incoming hostile aircraft, missiles, and drones at a range of 400 km. This missile system can fire three kinds of missiles, engaging 36 targets which create a layered defence.
US said that the huge defence purchase by India from Russia will attract Sanctions under the countering America’s Adversaries through Sanction Act (CAATSA), signed into law by the US President Donald Trump last year in August which went into effect from January 2018.
Randall Schriver, the Pentagon Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs, said that the prospect of India to buy the S-400 has been troubling due to several reasons. Their strong preference is to see India seeks an alternative option and if they can be a partner to India to address their defence needs. He also stated that Indian and US militaries would soon discuss to expand the complexity and scope of joint military exercises.
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